Bruges (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): Bruges will enhance waste management by installing 23 underground containers in Steenstraat and the Mark, addressing overflow issues. This innovative vacuum system improves efficiency and cleanliness in busy areas with plans for future expansions.
Starting early next year Bruges will improve its waste management by putting in 23 underground containers in two main spots, Steenstraat and the Mark. These containers will have regular garbage bins on top, which will help hold more waste. The bins in these busy areas fill up fast, especially on busy days causing overflow and litter.
How will Bruges’ new underground waste system transform waste management?
The new underground system is made to solve the problem of overflowing waste by giving more storage space. This means the waste can be collected less often, helping keep the area clean. The regular bins will still be visible above ground for people to use, while the larger underground containers will hold the waste. This will reduce how often the bins need to be emptied and help keep the area tidy. This plan is part of the city’s efforts to take better care of public spaces and manage waste more effectively in busy areas.
It has been said that the underground waste management system in Bruges is unique because it uses a vacuum system to empty the containers, unlike other cities like Paris that lift the containers out of the ground. This vacuum system works like a vacuum cleaner, pulling out the waste without needing to remove the containers, which makes the process easier and faster. This innovative approach reduces the workload and speeds up waste collection making it more efficient and less disruptive. It’s the first of its kind in Belgium and even in the Benelux region, showing Bruges’ commitment to modern and sustainable waste management solutions.
The Bruges city council is thinking about adding more underground waste containers in different parts of the city, but they haven’t decided where yet. Alderman Mercedes Van Volcem mentioned that these containers work best in busy areas where there’s a lot of waste to manage. However, there are some technical challenges because the containers are about 2 by 2 meters in size and need specific conditions for installation. Not every area can fit these large containers, so the city needs to carefully check where they can be placed. This will involve looking at how well they can fit into the current city layout and if they can meet the needs of the local people. The goal is to improve waste management in crowded areas while making sure the installation is practical and effective.
